City snow plows

[marklingm]

The entire world understands you are not a fan of Mike Summers, we get it. And I am lucky enough to know the story from both sides.

Jim,

There are not two sides of this story.

You are simply trying to marginalize the discussion so shame on you.

But, I don't like Mike Summers.

And I find it ironic that I'm still among the few who seem to be fighting for the elected mayor position in spite of my dislike for Mike.

I still believe that elections have consequences.

And if the residents of Lakewood like Mike, he will continue to be elected as our mayor.

Frankly, I trust the electorate and the democratic system a lot more than I trust “City Hall and Friends” because we are going to end up with the following when we go down the unelected city manager route:

At the same time if City Council does this and hires some of the same people here, they need to be run from office, immediately. From two council members I have heard hints at two names that make me shiver, as their level of expertise is right there or below that of an ex-nun.

*** If they hire a city manager from within, or someone that just fell out of city manager school, they should all be looked at closely in their next election.

You know that the above is the current game plan, Jim.

"City Hall and Friends" have not even thrown Mike off his throne yet and they already have his unelected city manager successor lined up.

I'm still trying to figure out why you are playing the unelected city manager game when you already know the final score.

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

The entire world understands you are not a fan of Mike Summers, we get it. And I am lucky enough to know the story from both sides.

Jim,

There are not two sides of this story.

You are simply trying to marginalize the discussion so shame on you.

But, I don't like Mike Summers.

And I find it ironic that I'm still among the few who seem to be fighting for the elected mayor position in spite of my dislike for Mike.

I still believe that elections have consequences.

And if the residents of Lakewood like Mike, he will continue to be elected as our mayor.

Frankly, I trust the electorate and the democratic system a lot more than I trust “City Hall and Friends” because we are going to end up with the following when we go down the unelected city manager route:

At the same time if City Council does this and hires some of the same people here, they need to be run from office, immediately. From two council members I have heard hints at two names that make me shiver, as their level of expertise is right there or below that of an ex-nun.

*** If they hire a city manager from within, or someone that just fell out of city manager school, they should all be looked at closely in their next election.

You know that the above is the current game plan, Jim.

"City Hall and Friends" have not even thrown Mike off his throne yet and they already have his unelected city manager successor lined up.

I'm still trying to figure out why you are playing the unelected city manager game when you already know the final score.

Matt

Matt

I am willing to trust the process. Had the "Friends of City Hall" not sure who this is, but
plotted back when it was first mentioned, they would still be waiting to deliver the plan
20 years later.

I am more than willing to let the process go through. Last time they put City Manager in
front of council, it was rejected, as was everything else on the review.

Even if it gets through it still needs to go to a vote, and pass. I know of people on both
sides of this willing to fight for or against it right up until the election.

Let's be honest the biggest problem for years was that residents trusted council to do the
right thing about as much as they trusted the mayor. So it became moot.

However I cannot turn every decision by this group at City Hall with the question of City
Manager. Nor does it make sense to turn all threads into a war against Mayor Michael
Summers.

I believe that City Hall has truly lost their way.

I personally believe a City Manager MIGHT correct that.

What I realize is that, it matters little if they appoint a successor, or hire their friends as
it looks now. However this is Lakewood City Council's moment in the sun, and if they are
going to hire a professional based on friendship, they are nice, or for any reason outside
of vision and accomplishments, then they deserved to be removed from elected office.
Right now the same names are being touted by council for both the next mayor and/or
city manager, which indicates to me, Dr. Kellor and Steve have not done a good job in
explaining to council what a great opportunity it could be for them and the city. If it is used
as a way to get incompetent people into secure good paying jobs running our city, then
they will be complicit in downfall.

What I think all of us have come to understand is that the City Charter needs a complete
overhaul, right down to elections and appointments.

We need to break the pattern of Elected officials treating residents like the problem,
instead of the reason for being there in office.

.

[marklingm]

However I cannot turn every decision by this group at City Hall with the question of City Manager. Nor does it make sense to turn all threads into a war against Mayor Michael Summers.

Okay, Jimmy.

Since this is a city snow plow thread, I will ask yet again:

How would an unelected city manager have handled the city snow plow problems better than our current elected mayor has over the past six years or so?

Focus on the position, not the person.

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

Okay, Jimmy.

Matt

How about
1) It COULD have been handled better.
2) Someone MIGHT HAVE taken responsibility.
3) PERHAPS it would have caused a firing.
4) POSSIBLY been handled differently.

However, the HUMAN put in that job, is HUMAN, just like the mayor and council, and you
and me.

I have this funny feeling though, this thread would not be two years long.

.

[marklingm]

Okay, Jimmy.

Matt

How about
1) It COULD have been handled better.
2) Someone MIGHT HAVE taken responsibility.
3) PERHAPS it would have caused a firing.
4) POSSIBLY been handled differently.

However, the HUMAN put in that job, is HUMAN, just like the mayor and council, and you
and me.

I have this funny feeling though, this thread would not be two years long.

.

Jim,

You seem to have submitted a person response, not a position response.

And this thread has been going on for two years because the city snow plow problems have continued for two years (actually longer).

... so ...

However I cannot turn every decision by this group at City Hall with the question of City Manager. Nor does it make sense to turn all threads into a war against Mayor Michael Summers.

Okay, Jimmy.

Since this is a city snow plow thread, I will ask yet again:

How would an unelected city manager have handled the city snow plow problems better than our current elected mayor has over the past six years or so?

Focus on the position, not the person.

Matt

[Jim O'Bryan]

Matt

If a position is filled with a human, you have the same issues.

Our last GREAT mayor is serving 1.5 years in jail right now.

On my long drive into work today, I pondered your question.

Maybe the term "mayor" is the problem.

Certainly we would demand more from a paid professional.

As you know in the business world, "but he is a nice..." gets you nothing.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Where we are at 4:20pm 1.29.2014

One can see that receiving three truck loads of salt hardly made a difference.

This might be enough salt for a small storm at best.

City Hall said it was all delivered.

Morton said it was all delivered.

Snow in Lakewood ends in April.

...


.

[Corey Rossen]

Jim was overheard saying, "How many miles of roads in Lakewood? I'm on it!"

[Jim O'Bryan]

Corey

They already talked us into carrying trash to the curb every week to save $2.00 a resident a year. (Well in ten years that is what we will save a year!)

Asking us to shovel the streets, I am sure, has been thought.

Maybe we could get the drunks to lock themselves up too, like on Andy Griffith?

Seeing how we are spending so much more, time and money, on police for the drunks
on Detroit and Madison.

The line of drunks each week for court runs up and out the court room door, down the steps even in the winter!

How much MORE are bars contributing to the city budget? I doubt more than they cost us.


Notice where the salt is stuck on the ribs of the building. One would think that is from levels of salt piled that high
or nearly that high. This would indicate extremely low levels of salt even after delivery.


The building for size comparison.

Makes me think of all of those days of salting roads that never got snow on them in November and December.

[marklingm]

Fresh February snow!

Okay all you city manager huggers out there, stop hating on the elected mayor position this week.

Enough already!

We can beat these city manager huggers, Lakewood!

Eye of the tiger, Mike! Eye of the tiger!

[Ryan Salo]

As I drove back from church today I was pleasantly surprised at how great the roads looked. I am really glad the mayor has made the needed changes to keep the roads in better shape!

I hope it continues.

[marklingm]

As I drove back from church today I was pleasantly surprised at how great the roads looked. I am really glad the mayor has made the needed changes to keep the roads in better shape!

I hope it continues.

I agree, Ryan.

This is what we need to see from our elected mayor!

Mike actually doing his job.

Sadly, city manager huggers like Jim O'Bryan won't come on this thread and give the mayoral position any credit.

Instead they praise Mike on a separate thread for denying his own neighbors simple city services to make a point. See http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12424.

In any event, you made it past Round 1, Mike.

Don't let the city manager huggers keep you down.

Matt

[marklingm]

Okay, Mike Summers, this is your time to rise and shine!

As of this posting, http://www.ohioweatherauthority.com reports:

Major Winter Storm Snowfall Accumulations

February 3, 2014 | Posted by admin



This will be a major winter storm to affect much of Ohio, we had to update our totals compared to our most recent map in and around Columbus. The map before stated 2-5″ for in and around Columbus, but we now updated them to 4-8″… 6-12″+ around Mansfield Northward… Would NOT be surprised if someone saw over a foot of snow. We have been talking about this storm for well over several days now and its finally coming along! There is still a pretty great deal of uncertainty on where the rain/snow line will set up so these totals are subject to change. We will probably issue OWA winter storm warnings for portions of Ohio around or after 7 am… Stay tuned!

http://www.ohioweatherauthority.com/201 ... mulations/

[Ryan Salo]

I believe the city will do a fantastic job keeping the streets safe during this storm. Here's why.

1. The mayor is in town so he will make sure the plows are out - salt or no salt
2. We have had a lot of notice
3. The temperatures will stay high enough for salt to work
4. The mayor has used up all of his excuses so he needs to deliver again like he did on Sunday.

[marklingm]

... tweet ... tweet ... tweet ...

3h
Michael P. Summers @LakewoodMayor
emergency snow Ban automatically in effect-main arteries only when 4" or more- link ,maps, street list
http://www.onelakewood.com/PublicWorks/ ... _Forestry/ …
#1LKWD
Retweeted by City of Lakewood

... tweet ... tweet ... tweet ...

3h
Michael P. Summers @LakewoodMayor
snow storm preparations underway: plows ready, shifts will begin at 7 PM for the duration. Salt supply adequate
#1LKWD
Retweeted by City of Lakewood